The Disease

Breast cancer occurs when cells divide and grow without normal controls.Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) occurs when abnormal cells grow inside the milk ducts, but have not spread to nearby tissue. DCIS is a non-invasive breast cancer. Invasive breast cancer occurs when cancer cells spread to nearby tissue or other parts of the body. Invasive breast cancer that spreads to other parts of the body is called metastatic breast cancer.

More than a quarter-million women in the United States are diagnosed with breast cancer and more than 40,000 die each year. On average, a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer every two minutes and a woman dies of the disease every 13 minutes.

Detection and Warning Signs

While the warning signs of breast cancer are not the same for all women, the most common signs are changes in the look and/or feel of the breast and/or nipple, and/or nipple discharge. Many women discover their breast cancer by coming across a lump or bump in their breast and asking their doctor about it. The tissue of the breast is naturally bumpy, so lumpiness is not an immediate cause for worry, but it’s important to monitor your breasts regularly so that you can recognize any changes or oddities you may come across.

Adult women of all ages are encouraged to perform these types of breast self-exams at least once a month.

Forty percent of diagnosed breast cancers are detected by women who feel a lump, so establishing a regular breast self-exam is very important.”

Clinical breast exams are usually done during a routine medical visit where a doctor checks your breasts for any abnormalities.

Mammograms use X-ray technology to take detailed images of the breasts. It is generally recommended that women 40 and over should get a mammogram every one to two years. If you have a genetic history of breast cancer and/or other risk factors, it’s typically advised that you start screenings before 40 at the direction of your doctor.

Your treatment plan will be based on your diagnosis. It will depend on what stage your cancer is in and whether it has spread; the type of breast cancer you have; your age, health, and menstrual cycle status; and your medical history. Again, working with a doctor to guide your breast cancer decisions is key.

Self-awareness is a foundational component of maintaining your physical health, and breast cancer awareness is no exception. It’s important to emphasize that all women over 40 should be screened regardless of family history, and men with strong family histories of breast cancer should also be screened. Breast cancer can affect anyone regardless of ethnicity, age (it is possible to get breast cancer before the age of 40), gender (though male cases are rarer), or genetics and early detection is one of the best ways to get ahead of the disease. To the 3.3 million breast cancer survivors, we salute you this month, and every month.